Co-Proxamol

rubyt

After being on Co-Proxamol, for a long time, and having tried 3 other substitutes which were not effective, once again my GP has taken me off it. I have asked (as they claim it to be so addictive) if I can be weaned off it, and they have agreed to giving me a few extra to allow this to be done over a 7 day period. I feel so low at the whole thing, each time they have tried to change it nothing has worked and i've ended up back on it, now they say its over and no more will be given to me. I have asked that I be considered as an exceptional circumstance patient but this has been refused, is the "named patient" arrangement the same?
I apologise that my first post is a moan. Any advice most welcome.

dreamdaisy

Hello ruybyt, it's nice to meet you but I am sorry it is under such circumstances. My Mum is in a similar situation to you, she has been taken off them and put onto tramadol instead. She is fortunate in that they work reasonably well but from what you have said you seem to have trouble with other types of pain relief. I am not sure what the answer is so I am afraid I cannot help. I apologise. :oops: DD

Avrielle

Hello. I'm new here myself, but I offer you a warm welcome.

I'm suprised that they are refusing to try you on other types of painkillers. Perhaps you could seek advice from another GP at your surgury for a second opinion?

Co-Proxamol is a strange drug, as it is actually unliscensed (after reading up on it) after the Commitee on Safety of Medicines advised that there was insufficient evidence that Co-Proxamol is more effective for pain relieving properties than paracetamol alone.

Information can be read here:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/aches-and-pains/medicines/co-proxamol.html

Since I am no medical proffessional, and I have no light on your condition, then I cannot say why your GP has prescribed you this drug. It could be that you have intolerances to other suitable medication, in which case, this would probably be used as a last resort. But I still encourage you to seek advice from another medical proffessional, ie - another GP.

On top of painkillers, there are also a group of drugs called Neuropathic paink releivers. These are different sort of drug that work better when used long-term. Gabapentin is a good example of this and a drug that I take. It works by calming the neurotransmitter chemicles found in the nerve cells, and pain is reduced by calming or dulling down the pain signals transmitted by the neurotransmitters through the nerves. Basically keeping the pain signals from the nerves and the brain in balance. It is often a drug used with people who have suffered nerve damage, and those who suffer epilepsy. It is something that you could discuss with a doctor though to find out if it would be of any benefit to you and your pain. It is not a standard group of drugs for standard pain relief though.

Wishing you the best. xx

elnafinn

Hi Ruby

No worries about having a moan. I was on coproxamol until it was not being prescribed any longer. It is a great drug and nothing given in its place seems to be as good with the least of side effects. I remember asking my gp about being a named patient but nothing came of it. I was given cocodamol instead but it is nothing compared with coproxamol. It is such a shame that some patients on coproxamol abused it, hence it being withdrawn.

I no longer need to take cocodamol as I have had two total knee replacements and only take anti inflams now for other aches and pains that seem to allow me to function fairly well on a daily basis. The anti inflams and laughter keep me going ok! So far so good.

I am sorry that I have no idea how you can get around this.

Elna x

PowerOn

Hi rubyt
Sorry, new here myself and finding this site very helpful, just wanted to say not to worry about your first post being a moan, mine was too.

elainebadknee

Hi Rubyt

Grr have just typed a reply to you and my computer had a hissy fit!

Okay, here goes....I myself take co-proxamol as its the best painkiller for myself, have tried co-codamol (keeps me wide awake) and tramadol briefly which was knocking me out and could barely speak!
The agreement I have with my GP is because the drug is unlicensed and has apparently had some alarming suicide figures, that if i decided to take my own life using co-proxamol she would have to stand up and justify herself to the powers that be, why she prescribed such a drug to me...I understand this fully...Couldnt be without it as ibuprofen, anti inflammatories dont work for me....
Hope you can maybe get a similar situation, maybe youd need to seek a second opnion?
Let us know how you do?

Elainex

rubyt wrote:

After being on Co-Proxamol, for a long time, and having tried 3 other substitutes which were not effective, once again my GP has taken me off it. I have asked (as they claim it to be so addictive) if I can be weaned off it, and they have agreed to giving me a few extra to allow this to be done over a 7 day period. I feel so low at the whole thing, each time they have tried to change it nothing has worked and i've ended up back on it, now they say its over and no more will be given to me. I have asked that I be considered as an exceptional circumstance patient but this has been refused, is the "named patient" arrangement the same?
I apologise that my first post is a moan. Any advice most welcome.

rubyt

thankyou for your replies, its a nightmare, and i havent found yet any substitute they gave me anywhere near as good, but my daughter is now on the case (haha) and she is trying to somehow sort this out. i will of course keep you updated. lovely site you have here, so nice to find others who understand.